Texas Rangers Blog

Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler and Texas starting pitcher Colby Lewis exchange pleasantries after Kinsler popped up in the third inning during the Detroit Tigers vs. Texas Rangers major league baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. (Louis DeLuca/Dallas Morning News)

On Tuesday, though, he disappointed several of his former teammates when he waved to the Rangers dugout after hitting a homer in his first at-bat in Arlington since being traded to Detroit.

“I know him and I enjoyed playing with him, but I guess ‘disappointed’ is the best word to describe it,” starter Colby Lewis said after the Rangers’ 8-2 loss. “Maybe it’s how he feels about how things ended up here and that’s his opinion. I’m taking it that he was disappointed in how things happened. It is what it is.”

Rangers manager Ron Washington also noticed the wave along the first base line, and acknowledged that Lewis was a little “miffed,” but declined to comment on his own thoughts.

The Rangers, however, did not seek retribution for the gesture. Kinsler got pitches to hit in his next at-bat and popped up to first base. Washington said Lewis said something to Kinsler about it as Kinsler crossed behind the mound on the way back to the Detroit dugout.

Lewis smiled, but said he only said “it’s good to see you again.” Kinsler declined to elaborate on what Lewis said to him.

Part of the Rangers’ issue in throwing at or near Kinsler may have been that he had the ultimate in protection. He was hitting in front of Miguel Cabrera. Putting him on base in a tight game would have only complicated the Rangers’ issues.

Kinsler and Rajai Davis have split time almost equally in the leadoff spot this season, so it is possible Kinsler will hit leadoff in the series and it may change the Rangers’ perspective.

Kinsler said the gesture wasn’t personal.

“I was having a good time,” Kinsler said. “It was my return home and to get lucky enough to square one up like that and have it go over the fence, it was a good feeling. I was just having fun. … I wasn’t thinking. I was just enjoying the moment.”

Here is a GIF of incident (h/t Fox Sports Southwest and SB Nation):

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